The 45-year-old striker has been signed as player-coach with Pike expecting him to impart some of his vast knowledge to the club's existing strike force as well as bringing his side some much needed punch in front of goal. Claridge has wealth of experience behind him. After growing up in Titchfield, he signed for Fareham Town before becoming a professional at AFC Bournemouth in 1984. He then went on to have spells at Aldershot, Cambridge United, Birmingham City, Leicester City and Millwall to name but a few but he is best known the time he spent at Fratton Park where he scored thirty-four goals for Portsmouth between 1998 and 2001 and also had a spell as manager. He also had two other managerial appointments Weymouth and a brief period at Millwall which lasted only thirty-six days. More recently has made a few appearances in the non-League game at Worthing, Harrow Borough and Weymouth whilst also carving out a career as a football pundit for the BBC. He will continue with his media commitments for the BBC but Pike believes that his commitment of one Saturday in four will not cause too many problems for the club. "There are not many signings that excite me but when you speak to Steve and realise how fit and professional he still is, he can only be an asset to Gosport Borough," said Pike. "Steve's arrival has already had a great effect in the dressing room as the whole squad at last night's training session raised their game. It was a great session and I'm glad Steve was very impressed by the quality of our players and the club." With James Taylor unavailable, Claridge is expected to go straight into the starting line-up for tomorrow's FA Trophy tie with Sholing.

Meanwhile, Havant & Waterlooville's Nathan Ashmore has moved to Privett Park in a season-long loan deal. The 21-year-old former Hawks Academy player has made the move to Gosport after he was made available by the Blue Square Bet South outfit. Pike, who has attempted to sign Ashmore on a number of occasions, is delighted with the deal which brings the 'keeper to Privett until the end of the season on a deal that prevents the Hawks from recalling the player. Ashmore, who was offered a first-team contract to understudy Kevin Scriven three years ago, had made six appearances for Havant at the start of this season but has not pulled on the number one jersey since late August.